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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, has today (July 1) in Shanghai unveiled an exhibition on Hong Kong¡¯s participation in the World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China (Shanghai Expo).
Mr Tang received a warm welcome from the Expo¡¯s official mascot ¡°Haibao¡± when he arrived for the opening ceremony at the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Co-ordination¡¯s exhibition centre in Huaihai Zhong Road.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Tang said Shanghai Expo would be a mega event that would draw world-wide attention.
¡°Today marks the 12th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Staging the exhibition on this special occasion fully demonstrates the long-established and close relationship between Shanghai and Hong Kong,¡± said Mr Tang.
¡°Hong Kong will participate in the Shanghai Expo in all aspects. Hong Kong¡¯s participation shows our great support to the Expo held in our country for the first time.
¡°At the same time, Hong Kong will also make use of this Shanghai Expo platform to introduce and promote Hong Kong as a world city to people in and outside our country. It also allows Hong Kong to learn from the others¡¯ advanced experience.
¡°In Hong Kong, we are stepping up our cooperation with the media to publicise the Shanghai Expo. We will also organise promotional activities including forums and roving exhibitions to encourage Hong Kong people to visit the Shanghai Expo.¡±
Hong Kong started to publicise its participation in Shanghai Expo in October last year with a similar exhibition at the former Central Police Station Compound.
The Executive Vice Mayor of Shanghai City, Mr Yang Xiong, who also officiated at the opening ceremony, expressed his appreciation of the HKSAR Government¡¯s support of the Expo.
Today¡¯s opening ceremony also included a distinctly Hong Kong flavour, with some 30 students from Hong Kong Sun Fong Chung Primary School and Hong Kong Vigor Marching Band performing at the event to showcase Hong Kong¡¯s young talent.
The band played two songs ¡ª ¡°City¡±, which is one of the official Expo theme songs, and ¡°Pearl of the Orient¡±, which is a nostalgic favourite for Hong Kong people.
Also present at the opening ceremony were the Permanent Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Joshua Law; the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Mr Duncan Pescod; the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Chung Ling-hoi; Director, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs, Shanghai, Mr Patrick Chan; and Expo Co-ordinator, Mr Victor Ng.
Jointly organised with the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Co-ordination, the exhibition consists of two parts.
One part highlights Hong Kong¡¯s ¡°unlimited potential¡± by bringing out the themes of connectivity and creativity that will be part of the Hong Kong Pavilion experience at the Shanghai Expo. The other part explains Hong Kong¡¯s participation in the Urban Best Practices Area (UBPA) Exhibition under the theme ¡°Smart Card, Smart City, Smart Life¡±.
From today until July 14, the exhibition will be held at the Exhibition Centre of World Expo 2010 Shanghai China on the third floor of Hong Kong New World Tower, 300 Huaihai Zhong Road, Shanghai.
It includes several eye-catching design elements, such as a mirror corridor to symbolise Hong Kong's openness, transparency and infinite potential. Videos to introduce the Hong Kong Pavilion and Hong Kong¡¯s UBPA exhibition are also being screened at the exhibition.
The opening hours of the exhibition are from 9am to 5pm daily. Admission is free.
With the approval of the Legislative Council, the HKSAR Government has committed $346 million in funding for Hong Kong¡¯s Expo presence.
This includes $145 million for the design and construction of the Hong Kong Pavilion, and $201 million for operation and activities, including the UBPA Exhibition.
Ends/Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:24
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